RANCHO CUCAMONGA--The city of Rancho Cucamonga has responded to the National Trust for Historic Preservation after the advocacy group expressed concerns over the potential demolition of the historic China House.

In the letter from deputy city manager Jeff Bloom, addressed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the city said it has allowed an extension on a deadline for the property owner, the Cucamonga Valley Water District, enough time to secure the site, if a stabilization plan materializes.

"Please be advised however that the City is not aware at this time of any plans by the public or CVWD for remediation of the dangerous condition or the identity of any possible funding sources for such efforts," according to the letter. "Any plans would need to include emergency stabilization of the structure. If no plan is submitted, demolition will be necessary to protect the public safety."

The city has red-tagged the building as dangerously unsafe for the public, and the Cucamonga Valley Water District, which owns the building, was given a 60-day period, ending on Feb. 14, to demolish the building. Groups were recently given another 60-day extension, ending on April 11, after the property owner, the Cucamonga Valley Water District, asked for an extension.

China House preservation supporters have been given that time to come up with a feasible plan and funds to stabilize the building. If a feasible plan is not in place, the demolition may proceed, according to city officials.

Also in the letter, the city indicates it is continuing to review any obligations it may have under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. In the letter, sent by the National Trust to the city last month regarding the potential demolition of the China House, National Trust attorney Brian Turner raised questions over CEQA compliance.

Turner wrote, "an historic resource such as the China House cannot be approved for a discretionary demolition without preparation of an Environmental Impact Report."

The China House preservation group must now find funding for a new structural analysis key to proceeding with the stabilization effort, said Eugene Moy, vice president of the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California. Moy, who has been a lead coordinator on efforts to save the house, said the water district would be obligated to help fund the effort.

"They don't have money budgeted for this, but that's not to say the water district doesn't have cash flow," Moy said. "We'll work with them. There are some ways we can help in terms of fundraising. Once I know what the consultant costs are, I'm definitely going to contact businesses and other potential funders to see if they can contribute to it."

Moy said the water district, legally, can't demolish the house until they go through the CEQA process.

Located on the southwest corner of Klusman Avenue and San Bernardino Road, the red clay brick building was built in 1919 on the site of a once-thriving Chinatown. The water district had developed a plan prior to public outcry over the demolition, to raze the building and use some of its bricks to build a monument honoring the memory of the Chinese laborers who lived in the home, and in the surrounding Chinatown.

Designated as a historic landmark in 1985, the house has become a focal point of interest for Chinese American heritage groups who say preservation of the structure from demolition would be a better way to honor the history of Chinese laborers who were instrumental in the development of the Inland Empire as an agricultural center.

neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-483-9356

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